Big Tree Plant branches out in Bury

Date published: 14 November 2011

Bury is set to benefit from hundreds of new trees as part of a nationwide urban tree planting initiative.

The trees will be planted during November and December as part of the Government’s Big Tree Plant, which aims to plant 1 million trees in UK towns and cities over the next four years.

Red Rose Forest – Greater Manchester’s Community Forest – is working with charities from Radcliffe to plant 400 trees at Giant's Seat Scout and Community Campsite on Saturday 26 November.

Volunteers from Radcliffe Scouts, Radcliffe Guides, Radcliffe Rotary Club and Friends of the Forest –Red Rose Forest’s community volunteering initiative – will first be shown how to correctly plant the trees before carrying on throughout the weekend.

Red Rose Forest is working in partnership with the Woodland Trust to deliver the native woodland planting project, with the Woodland Trust supplying the trees and appropriate guards.

The planting event will fall during National Tree Week which runs from the 26 November - 4 December.

Tony Hothersall, Director of Red Rose Forest, said: "The Big Tree Plant is great news for the people of Bury. Getting trees in our cities and towns is vital. Trees shield houses from traffic noise, can help save energy, reduce the risk of flooding and also help fight the effects of air pollution and climate change.”

The Big Tree Plant brings together national tree-planting organisations and local groups working with Defra and the Forestry Commission. The national campaign has set aside £184,000 for Greater Manchester's Community Forest over the next four years to support tree planting and get people involved in their environment across the local area.

Pam Warhurst, Chair of the Forestry Commission, said: "The Big Tree Plant is all about bringing people together to improve our neighbourhoods for the benefit of all. It will be fantastic to see the impact of the many tree planting projects across Greater Manchester."

Any community organisations interested in volunteering can contact the campsite manager, Ann Chapman at annscouter@ntlworld.com